City Council - Regular Meeting

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Proclamation declaring March 8 through March 14, 2026 to be “Girl Scout Week” in the City of Rockford, Illinois.

26-00235

Planning and Development Committee

Code and Regulation Committee

1. Traffic Commission’s Agenda for the meeting to be held on March 11, 2026 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on March 23, 2026. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00233 2. Memorandum from Martin Bloom, Project Manager-Permits and Special Events, regarding upcoming special events which include: Memorial Day Parade, Cars & Coffee, No Kings 3.0 and Churchill Grove Garage Sale. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00236

Finance and Personnel Committee

1. Memorandum from Jamie Rott, Water Superintendent, regarding a hiring request from the Water Division for two Lead Project Managers and one Water Utility Technician. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 2. Memorandum from Carol Jaworowski, Police Financial Analyst, regarding the acceptance of the Illinois Law Enforcement Standards Board (ILETSB) FY26 Camera Grant Award. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.

Joshua Valdez Doyle

Laura Eakman

Victor Rivera

Patricia Chavez

Christopher Bayer

Planning and Development Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of the 2026 Funding Agreement with the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) as the Regional Economic Development Organization in the amount of $75,000.00. The funding source is the Redevelopment Fund.

Code and Regulation Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of Plat No. 5 of Perryville Promenade Subdivision. 2. Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board’s approval for the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class L-50) in conjunction with a restaurant and video gaming terminals in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 2525 Auburn Street (Colleen Therese Kowalski/Michelle Keinz/Gyro House & More, Inc. dba Gyro House/Applicants). Subject to conditions. 26-00227 26-00228 26-00199 26-00200 26-00201 3. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval for a Special Use Permit for a stand-alone coffee shop with a drive-thru with deviations from the regulations for parking and landscaping in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 73xx East Riverside Boulevard (2018DT Sandy Hollow, LLC/Applicant). Subject to conditions. 26-00203

Finance and Personnel Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of vouchers in the amount of $11,838,332.59 as approved at the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting held on February 23, 2026. 2. Committee recommends approval of the 2026 Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for a Three-year Property Tax Rebate Program for Newly-Built Residential Construction for single family, townhome, two-family, three-family and multi-family structures located in the City of Rockford and School District 205. 26-00219

Planning and Development Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of the Funding Agreement and Lease Agreement for 713 East State Street (Shumway Building) with Rockford Area Arts Council for 2026 through 2028 in the amount of $125,000.00 annually for a total amount of $375,000.00. The funding source is the City's Redevelopment Fund. (LAID OVER FEBRUARY 17, 2026) 26-00086

Finance and Personnel Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Rockford and Rockford Public School District 205 (RPS 205) for vacation of an existing Right-of-Way to RPS 205, construction of revised access to Lincoln Middle School from Charles Street as part of the City's 11th Street Phase 2 project, and reimbursement of improvement costs by RPS 205. (LAID OVER FEBRUARY 17, 2026) 26-00156

Appointment of Zsa Zsa Johnson to the Community Relations Commission to fill the seat vacated by Nikki Lynch for a term expiring December 2026.

(Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after March 4, 2026.)

Appointment of Shimere Shanklin to the Community Relations Commission to fill the seat vacated by Jordan Lindvall for a term expiring August 2028.

(Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after March 4, 2026.) 26-00145 26-00146

Planning and Development Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of a Resolution calling for a Public Hearing and convening a Joint Review Board in connection with a new South Rockford Industrial Tax Increment Financing District. 26-00218

Code and Regulation Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of the Irish Marching Society St. Patrick’s Day Parade 26-00204 This event is scheduled for Saturday, March 14th from noon to 5:00 p.m. The parade will step off at 3:00 p.m. The parade route is as follows: The parade will begin on 7th Street and 5th Avenue; north on 7th Street to State Street; west on State Street to Madison Street; north ending at Prairie Street. 2. Committee recommends approval of the Spruce Up Day at the Veteran’s Roundabout 26-00205 This event is scheduled for May 9th from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The event location will be at the Veteran’s Roundabout located on North Main Street and Auburn Street. 3. Committee recommends approval of the Rockford Area Pride Parade 26-00207 This event is scheduled for June 6th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The parade will step off at noon. The parade route will be as follows: The parade will begin on East State Street and 6th Street; west on State Street to Wyman Street. 4. Committee recommends approval of the Lifescape Classic July 4th Run/Walk 26-00223 This event is scheduled for July 4th from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The run/walk will begin and end on North Water Street in front of the Riverview Ice House; Madison Street to the recreational path, to Illinois Street and back. 5. Committee recommends approval of the 4th of July Celebration 26-00212 This event is scheduled to take place on July 4th from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The parade will begin at 4:45 p.m., and the fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m. The parade route will be as follows: 7th Street & 2nd Avenue, ending at State Street/Church Street. 6. Committee recommends approval of the One Table: An Open-Air Dining Experience 26-00214 This event is scheduled for August 29th from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The event location will be on Water Street from Market Street to Lower Jefferson Street Bridge. 7. Resolution for settlement of Teshayla Moton, et al., vs. City of Rockford, Illinois, et al. Case No: 23-cv-50120 in the amount of $40,000.00. (SUSPEND RULE 9) 26-00237 8. Resolution for settlement of Michael Oros, et al., vs. City of Rockford, Illinois, et al. Case No: 25-cv-50169 in the amount of $40,000.00. (SUSPEND RULE 9) 26-00238

Finance and Personnel Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Construction Engineering Agreement: Various Projects City Wide to Willett Hofmann and Associates, Inc., of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $244,868.68. The contract duration is through November 30, 2026. The funding source is the 1% Infrastructure Sales Tax. 26-00213 2. Committee recommends approval of the Sale of Vehicles: Two (2) Ford Explorers to BMO Police in the amount of $7,000.00 each. 26-00217 3. Committee recommends approval of the award of RFQ: Weatherization Mechanical Services (RFP No. 1125-HS-123) to Geostar Mechanical Inc., of Rockford, Illinois in the estimated amount of $1,200,000.00 (based on unit pricing). The contract duration is through September 30, 2026 with one (1) possible one-year extension option. Price adjustments based on regional market analysis provided by Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The funding sources are DCEO, Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and State Supplemental. 4. Committee recommends approval of the Resolution to waive the fees for building plan review, building permit, building inspection and water connection/service fees for new residential construction structures on vacant land and lots throughout the City of Rockford. 5. Committee recommends approval and acceptance of the Homeless System Capacity Expansion Pilot Program Grant from Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Family & Community Services provided to approved local Continuums of Care (CoCs) in the amount of $85,522.00. The grant does not require a cost match. The grant term is from November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026. The grant award, if accepted, will provide funds used to expand capacity for additional data analysis and to establish a lived experience advisory board. 6. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Sole Source Contract: Flock Safety, to Flock Group, Inc., of Atlanta Georgia in the amount of $443,998.16. The contract duration is one (1) year with three (3) additional one-year extension options. The funding sources are the Organized Retail Crime Grant (FY26 ORC) and Rockford Police Department Intel Unit Budget (FY27-FY29 Renewal Options). (LAID OVER FEBRUARY 17, 2026) 7. Award of RFP: Actuarial Services to Nyhart Company, of Indianapolis, Indiana for a contract amount of $14,200.00 year 1, $14,600.00 year 2, $15,000.00 year 3, $15,400.00 year 4. The contract duration is one (1) year with three (3) one-year extensions. The funding source is the Finance Department Operating Budget. 8. Award of RFP: Investment Management Services to PFM Asset Management, of Chicago, Illinois in the estimated annual amount of $69,500.00. The contract duration is three (3) years with two (2) one-year extensions, with the ability to terminate for convenience by either party at any time. The funding source is the Finance Department Operating Budget. 26-00221 26-00211 26-00216 26-00160 26-00224 26-00226

Planning and Development Committee

1. An ordinance approving the 2026 Funding Agreement with the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) as the Regional Economic Development Organization in the amount of $75,000.00. The funding source is the Redevelopment Fund. 2. An ordinance approving the Funding Agreement and Lease Agreement for 713 East State Street (Shumway Building) with Rockford Area Arts Council for 2026 through 2028 in the amount of $125,000.00 annually for a total amount of $375,000.00. The funding source is the City's Redevelopment Fund.

Code and Regulation Committee

1. An ordinance approving the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class L-50) in conjunction with a restaurant and video gaming terminals in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 2525 Auburn Street (Colleen Therese Kowalski/Michelle Keinz/Gyro House & More, Inc. dba Gyro House/Applicants). 2. An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for a stand-alone coffee shop with a drive-thru with deviations from the regulations for parking and landscaping in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 73xx East Riverside Boulevard (2018DT Sandy Hollow, LLC/Applicant).

Finance and Personnel Committee

1. An ordinance approving the 2026 Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for a Three-year Property Tax Rebate Program for Newly-Built Residential Construction for single family, townhome, two-family, three-family and multi-family structures located in the City of Rockford and School District 205. 2. An ordinance approving the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Rockford and Rockford Public School District 205 (RPS 205) for vacation of an existing Right-of-Way to RPS 205, construction of revised access to Lincoln Middle School from Charles Street as part of the City's 11th Street Phase 2 project, and reimbursement of improvement costs by RPS 205. 3. An ordinance approving the AFSCME Local 1058-C Collective Bargaining Agreement for April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. (SUSPEND RULE 9) 26-00230 26-00116 26-00231 26-00232 26-00229 26-00178 26-00240